Cartridge loader



Sept. 2,1947. G. F. PALIIIJANIIVV I 2,426,898

CARTRIDGE LOADER Filed Jan. 2 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 5 &5

o A INVENTOR.

Sept; 2, 1947. G. F. PALDANI CARTRIDGE LOADER Filed Jan. 26. 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2% i a a Patented Sept. 2, 1947 UNITED STTES' P CARTRIDGE LOADER George F. Paldani, Waukc gan, 111.

Application January 26, 1945, Serial No. 574,739

This invention relates to measuring devices, and has to do with a cartridge loader whereby gun powder may be delivered from a hopper or container in accurately measured amounts and charged into cartridge casings.

It is known to provide devices of the general character above referred to, in which the powder is delivered from the hopper in accurate amounts and charged into cartridge casings, but all of such devices with which I am familiar are of rather complicated construction and operation and employ valves operating through slots or openings in the device so that considerable spillage of powder is apt to occur, which is objectionable for obvious reasons. My invention is directed to the provision of a cartridge loader of comparatively simple construction and operation and which avoids the above noted objection to the known devices referred to with respect to spillage of powder. More specifically, I provide a cartridge loader in which the delivery of powder from the hopper to the measuring chamber, and the discharge of the powder from the measuring chamber into the cartridge casing, are controlled by valves enclosed within the structure of the device without openings therethrough to the exterior thereof, whereby spillage of powder is prevented. The parts of the device are so constructed and related that they may readily be disassembled for cleaning, repair or replacement and may as quickly be reassembled, and accuracy of adjustment of the parts is assured whereby any desired charge of powder, within limits, may be discharged into the cartridge casing. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a cartridge loader embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1, certain parts being shown in elevation and certain parts being broken away; 7

Figure 3 is a central vertical transverse sectional view of the mounting block and the parts carried thereby, on the same scale as Figure 2, certain parts being broken away and certain other parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line l4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view, on' an enlarged scale, of the discharge tube and valve means with the movable tube in its normal closed position;

, Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 5; and

6 Claims. (01. 8631) Figure '7 is a view like Figure 6 but with the inner movable tube in its open position.

The cartridge loader comprises a base plate I to which is secured a suitable standard 2 carryirig at its upper end a rectangular mounting plate 3 to which is secured, by screws 4 or in any other suitable manner, a cubiform mounting block 5. The block 5 is recessed from its lower end at 6, and is provided with a central bore 1 of step formation extending from its upper end and opening at its lower end into the recess 6. Block 5 is further provided, at about its mid-length, with a cylindrical bore 8 extending from its front face rearward beyond bore-1, intersectingthe latter bore, this bore 8 receiving a cylindrical plug valve 9 having adiametrical opening Ill therethrough. The block 5 is interiorly'threaded at the upper enlarged portion of bore 1 for reception of an exteriorly' threaded nipple ll of a ring 12 secured by screws, or in any other suitable manner, to a neck [3 at the lower end of a hopper bottom member M of inverted frusto-conical shape. Member I4 is provided at its upper end with an upwardly extending circumferential flange l5 extending upward a short distance beyond the interior shoulder l6. A cylindrical hopper body l1 seats at its lower end on shoulder l6 and has a friction fit in flange l5 so as to be retaained thereby in the hopper bottom I4 against accidental dislodgement. The upper end of body I1 is closed by a flanged cover l8 having an inwardly offset flange I9 which has a friction fit in the upper end of body l'l. It will be seen that the hopper bottom 14 together with the body I! constitute a hopper for containing'the charging powder, this hopper having a bottom outlet opening extending through ring [2 and nipple H thereof into the bore 1 of block 5, flow of powder through bore I being prevented by valve 9 when the latter is in its closed position shown in Figure 3, turning of valve 9 into position to bring the diametrical bore l0 thereof into alignment with the bore or passage 1 permitting fiow of powder through'the latter passage, as will be readily understood.

Referring to Figure 2, 'valve 9 is provided, a short distance from the forward end thereof, with a circumferentially extending outwardly opening groove 20 which receives the inner end of a dog pointed screw 2| threaded through the side of block 5. Groove 20 is of such length and so disposed that the wall at one end thereof contacts screw 2| when valve 9 is in its closed position shown in Figure 3, and the wall at the other end of groove 20 contacts screw 2| when valve 9 has been turned through an angle of degrees from its position of Figure 3, into a position in which bore of valve 9 is aligned with passage 1. It will be noted that the body of valve 9 projects outward a short distance beyond the front face of block and that this valve is provided with a reduced forwardly extending stem 22. A torsion spring 23 is coiled about the projecting forward portion of the body of valve 9 and is anchored, by a shouldered screw 24, to block 5, at one end, the other end; of this spring beinglbentat an angle, so as to extend forwardly from *block 5, and inserted through a stud 25 secured to and extending radially from stem 22. The spring 2 3 urges valve 9 in clockwise direction, as viewed-in Figures 1 and 3, and normally holds it in its closed position of Figure 3. An operating warm 25 'is secured to stem 22 of valvei9eand, in .thesnormal closed position of this valve, extends from stem --restrains collar 46, and with it inner tube 45, -;-aga-inst downward movement relative to tube 4| while providing convenient means for turning tube lfi. "As-is shown more clearly in Figure 3,

22 at a, downward inclination. Arm 262prov-iides V convenient means for turning valve 9 in counterclockwise ,direction, in opposition to spring 23, into its oper11,position,:and= upon release-pfarm v2.6 thisrvalve isrreturned to.its.- normallclosed; position by;spring2:3,eas-wlllmeadily be understood.

Theq'eoessed nlowerzend,portioniof .block l5 receives upper greduced portion -2'l 'oflla sleeve-18, secured i1'1-b100k;;5 by; a .dog pointedescrew; 29 threading :through one :side of v-the-ablock with ;its inner end {portion engaged :lIItO a suitable recess in the :side ao'fgthe sleeve. "Sleeve :28 ,.-is provided with a .3 bore 23 U of uniform diameterrextending ,fromzits lower end and opening,,at zitsmpper end, into azreducednbore 3 l-iextendingsfrom' the r' u-pper :enckofssleeve 2, 8,;theilatter bore being of zthezsame diameterras zth'e flower end ,of :bore pr; passage I! to'f;blo.ck:5,tthere beingza downwardlylflaringarea 13-2 connecting itheabores 2'3! and :31) forifree flow of the :powder :from ;the formenfinto the :latter. .Preferably,:the: sleeve 528 is;formed pfitr-a-nsparent material,zconveriiently-:of:'a;transparentasynthetic resin or: plastic, and -the;b ody all oft-the hopper 'alsoiistpreferably..formedzofgasimilaritrans parent material. :The ;block z5.:isgprovided i iwithza 1 slot 233 I in its :ifront awallsextending .lfromrthe, lower edge thereofrtowithin a :short distance .of-rthel upper :endsof :recess 56,:and :the front-50f ithe sleeve, 28 :is .zslabbed off-1 orjflattenedzto:give ready lv-isionq-of the :upperiqaortiomofabore30 0f; sleeve 228, ifor,:a: .pur- -posewwhich willberexplained. later.

i'I'hee-lowerzzen'd portiomflwof sleeve, 28,-is reduced :somewhat, and has secured rthereabout a acollar 33-5,-:convenientlyfbyrmeans ,of: a: screwitfi .passing through icollar 13 5 and ithreading i into portion :34 zofssleeve e28. -GollaritSds: provided at -;one::side

thereoflwithailugdil,wvhichris verticallyibored and l,

tapped 'for'sreception :of van-adjusting screw. s38 ithreaded y-therethrou'gh. Screw/4:38 is rrotatably mountedithroughta: lug:39 zofua'collartlflffixedstolea Itubewl I ,iadjacentzthezlower'zend thereof ;isli:dably amounted in :sleeve 228 i and eextendingrdownward ftherefrom. Screwfifl:isrprovidedrwithmicircum- -ferential groove'zdi whichireceives therpoint :ofia dog pointed iscrew 1::43: :threaded :in Zlug 39 rand restraining screw .38=:against:"endwise movement .;through"1ug-;'39. 'Atzits lowereendg'screwid-lfl is ;provfded awith a 'xsuitably .rforme'd :h-ead 144, the :lower;portioncofwvhichiisssuitablyifonnedztozpro- 'vvideea knurledrknobzforrrotatingsscnew 38 andrthe ;.upper;portioncof:whiclrisimthe 'formzofr-a cylinder z:seenztlrat-sthesscrewfiBrandscbllar 14:0 in-rconjunc- :rt'ionzwith sthe2collari35i and rlug 31 ;thereof,' prowide-means I for adjusting tube 4| llen'gthwisezin :sleevmz8uwhi-le'restnainingi thlSItlIbB against turn-- ,irrg'movement.

,olutertuloe 4 I extends downward a short distance within collar 40 so that collar 46 is spaced a shortzdistance from the underface of the top wall of collar 40, providing space for a spirally wound springdflxdisposed about the lower end-portion of tube-z4 I. eOneaend of'spring 49,passes through -2L'-S10tr.'5fl- (Figure) in collardfleandrisanchored-to the; inneror;rearwardjface of lug :39 in asuitable manner, convenientlyibymeans of azscrew, and themther or'inner-end 'ofqspring-49ris formed into-a @-p'-5| which receives .a .pinw52 passing through collar 45. The spring 49lis a torsion spring and normally holds :tube :45 in position with-armada in contact wit-h collar 1.40 at the inner :or rearward :end of slot 41. The pressure 'between ithegpar-ts, duetothe; torsion effect ofspring -49; :may .be :relied upon for -,maintaining the .pin -52 -in;position, or1this;pin may be secured: in loop :5| ofspring 49-:in any suitable'manner. 'From whathastbeen said,-.it will be understood thattthe inneratubeafi normallyis'heldin position with .armml aatithe-innerzend of, slot-.4'l, tube 45- being then :inwits iolosed :position, and that this u tube may be :turned in the-outer-tube =41 ateaneangle of approximately 180 degrees, until -thearm "48 ;contacts the .outer or .front eend 1', of; slot- 41 and, zuponzreleaseof arm 48 will-lbe returnedbylspring l49't0gil75z normal closed position.

Referring \to Figures-5 to 7,1 inclusive, theupper lend ofinner -:tube :45 contactsxthe runderface ofa =valve :element 53 (carried :by outer :tube :4! adjacent-the flipper 'rencl thereof. This valve ;elementl53ris in the form of =avbl0ck securedin .tube 4 I :inany suitable manner, {is substantially semi-circular in gxplan and has ,a sfl-at horizontal .underface which :overlies approximately onehalf of'the crossesectional area ofrinner.=tube ll5. Awsimilar -valv,e-telement \54- is suitably secured 4 in the upper -end-of the inner tube 45, ,this rvalve element 54 having i a fiat horizontal upper :face which is approximately semiecircular in plan, .the valve :element 54 occupying :subs-tantially one-half of the-=-cross-zsectional iarea -of :the=in- :terior of theinnentubefl. ,The upperrfac rfla of valve eelement 53 is inclined downward and inward) of :tube #4 I ;at fanaangle of approximately 45 degrees, and the underfacesfi laaof valvez-elelmentefidris-inclinedldownward and outward of the inner=tube 45 ,at an .angle of approximately 45 i-degrees. :In the normal eclosed ,position or the inner =tube 45, the valve-elements -53 and-L54 are opposed, withgtheyinnereedgeiofeelement :54 -.underlyin E ,asslight :extent ether inner edge portion of valve element 53 and, -in zcooperation therewith, providing. closure means :for lthe discharge ,passage defined ,-by the inner "tube 45. When :tube #15 1: is :turned into its open position, :shown :in :E'igure p7, valve ;element-:5l4 is :dlsposed 75 in miderlyingrelation tovalveelement :53rprovi'ding an opening from bore 30 of sleeve 28, above tube 45, into the latter tube, the inclined underface 54a of valve element 54 defining with the upper end portion of tube 45 a downwardly flaring passage into the latter, which facilitates flow of the power thereto.

The space between valve 9 (Figure 3) and the upper face of valve element 54 of tube 45, including the upper end portion of tube 4|, the lower end portion of passage or bore 1, bore 3|, flare 32 and the portion of bore 30 above tube 4|, constitutes a measuring chamber. By adjusting tube 4|, and with it tube 45, lengthwise the effective capacity of the measuring chamber may be varied so as to provide any charge desired. within limits. A small plate 55 hearing an index mark is secured by a screw, or in any other suitable manner, to the front face of lug 31 of collar 35 adjacent the latter. An elongated plate 56 is secured, by screws or in any other suitable manner, to the front face of lug 39 of collar 4|] and extends upward from lug 39 with its inner edge adjacent and parallel with the outer edge of plate 31, this upwardly extending portion of plate 56 bearing on its front face a series of vertically spaced graduatio-ns providing a scale for cooperation with the index mark on the plate 31. At its lower edge plate 56 is provided with an index mark which cooperates with the marks of a scale on head 44 of adjusting screw 39. The graduations on the main scale indicate inches and fractions thereof and the graduations on the head 44 of screw 38 indicate fractions of an inch, the pitch of the threads of screw 33 being such that one complete rotation of this screw moves the collar 40 .05 inch, with corresponding lengthwise movement of the tubes 4| and 45. When the zero mark on the main scale is in register with the index mark on the plate 31, the tubes 4| and 45 have been raised to their maximum extent and the measuring chamber is of minimum effective capacity, and when the highest mark on the main scale is in register with the index mark on plate 31 the tubes 4| and 45 have been moved to their lowermost positions contemplated in the use of the device, the measuring chamber being then of maximum efiective capacity. The scale on head 44 of screw 38, in conjunction with the graduation mark at the lower end of plate 55, provides for fine or micrometer adjustment of the tube for assuring accuracy of the charge, which is of importance. Conveniently, a discharge nipple 51 has a friction fit in the lower end of the tube 45 and extends downward therefrom, the upper portion of this nipple having an upwardly flaring bore providing a feather edge at the upper end of the nipple, which avoids interference with the discharge of the powder therethrough from tube 45. The lower portion of nipple 51 is of substantially uniform interior and exterior diameter. The interior diameter of the lower portion of nipple 51 is such as to snugly receive the neck of the casing of a cartridge intended to receive the minimum charge of powder, such as a 22 caliber high power cartridge. The exterior diameter of the lower portion of nipple 51 is such as to fit snugly into the neck of the casing of a cartridge of larger caliber, such as a 30 caliber cartridge. In charging cartridge cases which will not readily fit either in or over the lower portion of nipple 51, the powder discharged from the nipple, or from the lower end of tube 45 if nipple 51 be omitted, may be directed by a small funnel into the cartridge casing, as is well known.

The use of the device is thought to be clear from the above description. The hopper is filled, either partly or completely, with powder suitablefor use in the cartridge casings to be charged or loaded. The powder flows by gravity from the hopper downward into the upper portion of bore or passage 1 above valve 9, this valve normally being closed as shown in Figure 3. After the tubes 4| and 45 have been adjusted length- Wise to give the proper charge of powder, valve 9 is turned into its open position, in which it is held until the measuring chamber has been filled with powder, the interior of this chamber being readily visible for the major portion of its extent through the transparent sleeve 28. When the measuring chamber has been completely filled with powder, valve 9 is released and is returned to its closed position by the torsion spring 23. Sleeve 45 is then turned to its open position and the powder is discharged therethrough from the measuring chamber into the cartridge casing. In that manner cartridge casings may be loaded with expedition and facility and, since the valve means controlling delivery of powder from the hopper to the measuring chamber and discharge of the powder from that chamber are effectively enclosed, objectionable spillage of powder is prevented. It will also be seen that the various parts of the device are readily accessible and may easily be disassembled for cleaning, repair or replacement and easily reassembled, which is desirable in devices of this character.

It will beunderstood that changes in construction and arrangement of parts of my invention may be resorted to Without departing from the fieldand scope thereof, and I intend to include all such variations, as fallwithin the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred form only of my invention has been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In cartridge loading means of the character described, a hopper for powder, a sleeve, an outer tube fitting in said sleeve from the lower end thereof,'an inner tube fitting in said outer tube defining a discharge passage, means for delivering powder from said hopper to said sleeve above said tubes, a valve element carried by said outer tube at oneside thereof occupying approximately one half of the cross sectional area of said outer tube and overlying the upper end of said inner tube in proximity thereto, and a valve element in said inner tube at the upper end thereof occupying approximately one half the cross sectional area of said inner tube, the latter having turning movement in said outer tube to a closed position in which the inner tube valve element is opposed to the outer tube valve element providing in cooperation therewith a closure for said discharge passage and an open position in which the inner tube valve element underlies said outer tube valve element providing an opening from said sleeves to said discharge passage.

2. In cartridge loading means of the character described, a hopper for powder, a sleeve, an outer tube fitting in said sleeve from the lower end thereof, means for delivering powder from said hopper to said sleeve above said tube, an inner tube fitting in said outer tube defining a discharge passage, a valve element carried by said outer tube at one side thereof occupying approximately one half of the cross sectional area of said outer tube and overlying the upper end of said inner tube in proximity thereto, and a valve element in said 11111161 tube pat the upper .end thereof occupying tapproximately one ;half the cross vsectional ;area of said inner tube, the latter havingturningmovement:in1said outer tube to a closed positioniinrwhichthe inner-tube valve element is opposed :to :the :outer tube valve element providingiinicooperation therewith a closure for said discharge passage and an open -position-in which'thezinnerxtube valve element underlies said outer tube ivalve element providing an opening from the said sleeveitosaid discharge passage, the upperaface ofxsaidiouter tube'valve element beingiinclined downward and inward of said outer tube and-jtheiundenface of saidinner tube valve elementbeing inclined downward and outward of said inneritube.

' 3. :In. cartridge loading means vof the character described, a'hopper for powder, a sleevefixed relative' to said hopper, an outer tube slidably fitting in said sleeve through the lower rod thereof extending a downward therefrom, connections between said sleeve and-.tube for adjusting the latterlengthwise andrestraining it against relative turning -movement, means for delivering powder from 1 said ihopper to said sleeve .above said tube, and an i-nner tube'in said outer tube defining adischarge passage and connected to saidouter tube :forilengthwise movement therewith, said tubes having cooperating Valve elements respectively-fixed thereto controlling said discharge passage and said inner tube being turnable in-saidouter tube to a closed position and an open position in :whichsaid valve elements are relatively disposed respectivelyto close and i open said :discharge passage.

4:. In cartridge loading means of the character described, a hopper-'forpowder, a sleeve, two telescoping tubeshel'dagainst relative endwise movement-extendinginto said sleeve through the lower end thereof, the inner one ofsaidtubes 'defining a discharge passage, valve controlled means for :delivering powder from said :hopper to said :sleeveabove said :tubes, a valvemember carried by thenouter-one 'of said-tubes, and a second valve member :carriedtby said inner tube at the upper end thereof, one of :said tubes having turning movement relative to 'the other tubeinto avclosedpositioniin which said valve members. -,are -'disposed to-close saidpassage and an open position iin which said valve .members are disposed :to .open said passage, said valve .members .being enclosed; by :said tubes andsleeve.

:5.1In;cartridgeloadingmeans of the character described, :a hopper-for powder, a sleeve, two telescoping tubes held against relative endwise movement slidable as a unit in said sleeve through-the'lower end thereoflthe inner vone'of said tubes defining a discharge passage, valve controlled-,means for delivering powder fromsaid hopper to, said sleeve abovesaid tubes, a valve member carried'byithe outer one of said tubes, a-second valve member carried by said inner tube, one of said tubes having turning movementirelativeto the other tube into a closed-position in which said valvemembers are disposed to close said passage and aniopen position in which said-valve members are disposed to open saiohpassage, said valve-members being enclosed by said :tubes and sleeve, and'means for adjusting saidtubes as aunit endwise in said sleeve.

26. In cartridge loading means of the character. described, a hopper for powder, a sleeve, two telescoping tubes held against relative endwise movement slidable as a unit in said sleeve through :thelower end thereof, the inner one of said tubes extending downwardbeyond the-outer one thereof anddefininga dischargepassage, valve controlled means for delivering powder from said-h0pperto-said sleeve above saidtubes, azvalve member carried by, said outer tube, a-sec- 0nd valve-member carried-by said innertube, the latter tube having turningmovement relativeto saidouter tube into a closed position in which said valve :members are disposed to close said passage and an open position in which said'valve members are disposed to open-said:passage,;said valve members being enclosed by said sleeve and tubes, and means foradjusting. said tubes as a unit endwisein said sleeve.

GEORGE FgPALDANl sREFERENGES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

- UNITED'STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 466,209 Wiget Dec. 29,1891

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 9,881 Great Britain Apr. 17, 1902 526,347 Germany May 13,1931 

